How Palin Can Get the 2012 Nod

Current Republican field riddled with weak spots

(NEWSER) - Republicans talk a good game about challenging President Obama in 2012, but the GOP would look scarier if it had even one legitimate challenger , says Dick Polman. "Obama's job-approval numbers are tepid these days—but he looks robust when matched against actual Republican challengers," warns the Philadelphia Inquirer columnist. "Not to mention the inevitable wounds and scars that any Republican will suffer during a primary season that promises to be downright Darwinian." More»

After late-'90s stumble, Gingrich poised for a similar comeback

(NEWSER) - A decade ago, it looked like Newt Gingrich was a political goner; now, he looks poised to run for president in 2012. The question is “whether or not it is practical, which I increasingly think it is,” he said. Gingrich is certainly playing the part of the candidate—campaigning for others across the country, raising millions for his party, "transitioning" his four businesses so they don't become political obstacles. And if he can pull it off, it'll be the "greatest political resurrection since Richard Nixon," writes Karen Tumulty in the Washington Post . More»

Sarah Palin is good for business, but beware inflating presidential prospects

(NEWSER) - That Sarah Palin drives up TV ratings and online traffic is clear, but listen up, mainstream media—that doesn’t mean she’s the next big thing in Republican politics. Just look at the polls , Jim Vandehei and Jonathan Martin write for Politco . They say they “know we’re part of the problem—and we’ll surely continue to run stories about Palin.” But take it with a grain of salt: She's good copy. More»

Her "brand" is mighty, and she'll get a lift in 2010 elections

(NEWSER) - Nate Silver thinks Sarah Palin will run for president in 2012 and warns that it's foolish to dismiss her chances of getting the GOP nomination "given the makeup and mood of the Republican primary electorate. " He lays out specifics at FiveThirtyEight.com :

• Enthusiasm: Her "brand" will motivate voters who might otherwise stay home. This could actually hurt her in a general election, but not so much in a primary.
• 2010: Republicans are poised for success, and conservatism will likely get all the credit, even if it's undeserved.

VP candidate popular, but she may have goofed with resignation

(NEWSER) - Call her a quitter or a laughingstock, but Sarah Palin is still one of the most popular figures in the Republican Party—as admired by local leaders as she is doubted in Washington. A Politico survey of grassroots GOP members nationwide found particular support for her among Westerners, many of whom cited her values of freedom and self-sufficiency. "She's not going to lie, she's not going to sugarcoat it—she's just going to let it rip," said one Arizona Republican. More»